Los Angeles Opera has amended its 2013-14 season with an eighth opera, Plácido Domingo, the company’s general director announced today. Renée Fleming will sing the role of Blanche DuBois in the Los Angeles Opera premiere of André Previn’s Streetcar Named Desire in semi-staged concert performances on May 18, 21 and 24.

"Renée Fleming is, quite simply, one of the greatest singers of our time," Domingo said today. "I am absolutely thrilled that LA Opera has this opportunity to present her in an increasingly rare operatic performance, especially since the role of Blanche DuBois was tailored specifically for her extraordinary talents. LA Opera has a longstanding commitment to contemporary work, and this presentation of A Streetcar Named Desire enables us to expand our mainstage repertory with an exciting Company premiere. I know that our audiences will enjoy it enormously."

"The role of Blanche DuBois is always a thrilling challenge," Fleming said. "She is an iconic character of the American stage, and as realized for the opera by my cherished friend, the brilliant composer and Hollywood legend André Previn, I think she’s compelling in new ways, for new audiences."

Fleming will be joined by bass-baritone Ryan McKinny as Stanley Kowalski and soprano Stacey Tappan as Stella. Tenor Anthony Dean Griffey, who created the role of Mitch Mitchell at the opera’s 1998 premiere, will reprise the role in Los Angeles. The semi-staged concert performances will be directed by Brad Dalton; costumes will be designed by Johann Stegmeir and lighting designed by Duane Schuler.